Former Astros scout dies at 95

It is announced that Stan Benjamin, a former scout for the Houston Astros, passed away last Thursday at the age of 95.
Benjamin joined the Astros in 1965 and worked in the organization for nearly 40 years as a scout at the amateur and professional levels. His duties included serving as a Major League scout covering the American League East clubs for several seasons. He also served as Houston's amateur scouting supervisor for the Northeast section of the country.

"Stan was a vital cog in the Astros organization," said Astros president of baseball operations Tal Smith. "He was a keen judge of talent and had great personal associations throughout the game as a result of his long career as a player, high school coach, college basketball official and scout," Smith added. "All of us who knew Stan will have great memories of him."

Nationals sign veteran southpaw Guardado to Minors deal

The Nationals announced that they have agreed to terms with reliever Eddie Guardado on a Minor League deal with an invite to big league Spring Training. The club have been interested in Guardado since the Winter Meetings. According to a baseball source, team scouts told general manager Mike Rizzo that Guardado would be a big help to the club. During his 17 seasons in the big leagues, he has played in 908 games and saved 187 of them in his mlb jersey. He is best known for his years as the Twins' closer. His best season was in 2002, when he saved 45 games.

Guardado is one of three relievers acquired by the Nationals this offseason. The club traded for right-hander Brian Bruney on Dec. 7 and agreed to term with former Pirates closer Matt Capps on Christmas Eve.

Decker is named to lead Fresno Grizzlies

Former Major League catcher Steve Decker has been named manager of the Giants' Triple-A affiliate Fresno Grizzlies.
Decker, who is considered a managerial candidate for the Major Leagues will be joined in Fresno by beating coach Ken Joyce, pitching coach Pat Rice and trainer Anthony Reyes. Decker has progressed quickly through the Giants farm system, having managed at Salem-Keizer in 2005, Class A San Jose in 2008 and Double-A Connecticut in 2009, where he reached the Eastern League finals. He previously served as Triple-A batting coach.

Decker played seven seasons in the Major Leagues, four as the catcher in the giants jersey. Joyce takes over for Hensley Muelens, who was promoted to Major League batting coach. Rice returns as pitching coach for a second season. He previously spent 13 seasons in the Seattle system.

Juan Uribe will return to Giants

According to FoxSports.com, the utility infielder is close to returning to the Giants. Uribe has been testing the free-agent market after playing in San Francisco through a one-year deal worth a little over $1 million. In 122 games he batted .289 with 16 home runs and 55 RBIs. It marked Uribe's highest average since hitting .283 with the White Sox in 2004 in the white sox jersey

Uribe was the starting shortstop for the 2005 World Series champion White Sox as one of the best defensive players in the American League at his position. He played 44 games at third base last year, 41 at shortstop and 38 at second base.

Predators' Dan Ellis will appear on NHL Live!

It is reported that Nashville Predators goaltender Dan Ellis will be among the guests on NHL Live! on Monday, scheduled from noon-2 p.m. on NHL Network and NHL.com and broadcast on XM Radio. Ellis, who is a former second-round pick of the Dallas Stars, is 6-5-1 with a 2.77 goals-against average for the Predators this season.

Also scheduled to appear to speak with co-hosts Rob Simpson and E.J. Hradek are TSN analyst Bob McKenzie and CBC color commentator Craig Simpson. NHL Live! is broadcast from the NHL Store Powered By Reebok in New York City.

Dodgers and White Sox complete Juan Pierre deal

The Dodgers acquired right-handed pitchers John Ely and Jon Link from the Chicago White Sox to complete Juan Pierre trade. Ely was a starter for Double-A Birmingham in 2009 with a league-leading 125 strikeouts in 156 innings. He is known as an adequate fastball and is considered to be a fifth-starter candidate. He was a third-round pick in 2007. Link saved 13 games at Triple-A in 2009, when he was striking out 66 but walking 27 in 56 1/3 innings in his white sox jersey. He is known as a hard thrower who has come across troubles for most of his seven professional seasons.

Juan Pierre has two years remaining on his contract of which the Dodgers will pay $10.5 million and the White Sox paying $8 million. The basic purpose of the deal for the Dodgers was to provide some payroll relief to obtain a starting pitcher.

Philles add Ross Gload to bench

It is reported that Ross Gload has passed his physical in Philadelphia to finalize a two-year contract with the Phillies. And it is said that he will make $1 million in 2010 and $1.6 million in 2011. Gload hit six home runs and 30 RBIs in 125 games last season with the Florida Marlins. He becomes the final piece on a Phillies bench that includes infielder Greg Dobbs, outfielder Ben Francisco, catcher Brian Schneider and infielder Juan Castro.3.

Gload is a career .300 pinch-hitter, which is the highest average for any active pinch-hitter with 140. Now Gload, who hits left-handed, is known as a fine defensive first basemen, but he can also play the outfield. Now it is time for us to put on the phillies jerseys and support him.

Padres give invitation to Denorfia

The Padres announced that they signed outfielder Chris Denorfia to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Denorfia has a .279 batting average in 208 Major League at-bats with Cincinnati and Oakland. Last season, Denorfia spent most of the season with the Oakland's Triple-A Sacramento affiliate, hitting .271 with nine home runs and 15 stolen bases. Denorfia got 120 at-bats with the Reds during the 2006 season in the reds jersey.

The Padres like Denorfia's versatility and that he can play all three outfield positions. There will be plenty of competition for jobs in the outfield in Spring Training. If there is nothing else, the addition of Denorfia will give Padres outfield depth in Triple-A Portland.

Statement regarding Ducks Henry and Susan Samueli

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement on Dec.9: "On December 9, 2009, U.S. District Court Judge Cormac J. Carney vacated the single charge that was pending against Dr. Henry Samueli, indicating that no law had been violated. We are delighted that the Samueli good name has now been cleared. In retrospect, it is regrettable and unfortunate that the circumstances at that time caused the Samuelis and the Anaheim Ducks to endure any suspension. We were pleased to welcome the Samuelis back to the NHL when the suspension was lifted this past November 12."

This statement comes after U.S. District Court proceedings this week in California, where Judge Carney stated that Henry Samueli had not made a materially false statement during his testimony before the SEC.

Brodeur appears in NHL Hour

Martin Brodeur will be the guest on Thursday's NHL Hour with Commissioner Gary Bettman which can be heard on NHL.com and Sirius XM Radio at 3 p.m. ET. Broderu tied Terry Sawchuk at the top of all-time list. His next chance to own the record himself comes Friday against the Florida Panthers.

Earlier this season, Brodeur set the all-time mark and last season broke Patrick Roy's all-time wins record. He's also four games away from passing Roy to become the all-time leader in games played by a goalie. The NHL Hour With Gary Bettman encourages fans to call in with questions for the Commissioner.

Burke meets with five NHL GMs

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Burke, who is also the GM for Team USA, met with the five other NHL GMs who make up the selection committee. Burke is confident about the majority of America's 23-man roster is in place, with the 2010 Olympic Games just two months away. But there are still decisions to be made. "Canada can be wrong on three or four players and it's not going to change their team." Burke told The Globe and Mail in Toronto.

Team USA's roster will be named at Fenway Park on Jan .1 during the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. Many fans believe Canada will win the gold medal on home ice. "Every time in this tournament will be bet on Canada and Russia," Burke said. "No one is betting on us and that's okay. But we're there to win."

Center fielder expressed desire to remain in the team

It is reported that both outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher Ivan Rodriguez have turned down the Rangers' offer with Rodriguez agreeing to a two-year deal with the Nationals. The Rangers is in the hope of being able to re-sign Byrd to be their starting center fielder, and Byrd says that he wants to stay with the team. "We'll leave that one open," general manager Jon Daniels said. "We're in the same spot with Marlon. He's getting a sense of what the market is."

Also club officials are looking at other options and investigating the possibility of signing a veteran catcher to go along with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden.

Giants sign Pena to Minors deal

It is reported that the Giants have signed Tony Pena Jr. to a Minor League contract, adding that Pena would earn a base salary of $650,000 if he spends all of the 2010 season in the Majors. Pena, who is the son of former All-Star catcher Tony Pena, was once viewed as the Royals' shortstop of the future, but he compiled just a .228 batting average in four big league seasons in Atlanta and Kansas City. Then he became a right-handed reliever for part of the 2009 season striking out 18 and walking six in 19 1/3 innings.

Pena became a free agent after the season and is now pitching for Aguilas of the Dominican Winter League. Well we will not see him playing in giants jersey for a period of time.

Garko becomes a free agent

The Giants announced that they refused to tender first baseman Ryan Garko a 2010 contract. Garko was expected to be a run producer after the Giants obtained him from Cleveland for Minor League left-hander Scott Barnes on July 27. He hit .235 with two home runs, 12 RBIs.

Economics can account for Garko's leaving. He was eligible for salary arbitration, which would have guaranteed him a significant pay increase from his 2009 base salary. San Francisco faces arbitration cases with two-time Cy Young Award-winning right-hander Tim Lincecum and closer Brian Wilson, who are guaranteed astronomical raises. Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and right-hander Brandon Medders also are arbitration-eligible. In addition, the Giants' pursuit of free-agent first basemen Nick Johnson and Adam LaRoche demonstrates that Garko would have occupied a subordinate role.
Now Garko has to take off his giants jersey and have a rest for a while.

Coyotes' Jovanovski is suspended two games

The National Hockey League announced that Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Jovanovski has been suspended for two games without pay, due to an incident in NHL game against the Minnesota Wild on December 7. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, Jovanovski will forfeit $67,357.52. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Jovanovski delivered a blow to Minnesota's Andrew Ebbett and penalty was assessed on the play. Jovanovski will miss Thursday's game at Los Angeles and Dec. 12 against San Jose Sharks. He will be eligible to return on Dec. 14 at Detroit in his coyotes jersey.

Capitals claim Chris Bourque off waivers

According to the Washington Capitals, the team have claimed forward Chris Bourque off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins and assigned him to the AHL's Hershey Bears. Bourque returns to the Washington organization after recording 3 assists in 20 games this season for the Penguins in pittsburgh penguins jersey.

Bourque was the Capitals’ second-round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft and has scored 1 goal in 12 career games with Washington. He has played four seasons with the Bears and helped Hershey win the Calder Cup in 2006 and 2009. Last season, he scored 21 goals and 52 assists in 69 games in the Hershey scoring race with 73 points. Bourque tallied five goals and 16 assists in 22 playoff games.

Cam Ward is not in the injured list

President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes Jim Rutherford announced that the team has activated Cam Ward from the long-term injured list. Ward has missed the Hurricanes' last 13 games after being cut on his leg by a skate on Nov. 7. He is eligible to play in his carolina hurricanes jersey at New Jersey on Dec. 9.

Now he is in his fifth NHL season, and has compiled a 122-86-21 record in 239 regular-season games with the Hurricanes. Ward is the franchise's all-time leader in playoff wins and he captured the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2006 as the Most Valuable Player. The Hurricanes drafted Ward in the first round in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Tate breaks his jaw in ATV accident

The Padres confirmed that their first-round Draft pick in 2009, No. 3 overall pick Donavan Tate, broke his jaw in an all-terrain-vehicle accident last weekend. The Padres said that Tate will be ready for the start of Spring Training.

Tate received the largest signing bonus in franchise history, but had his jaw broken following the accident. He signed with the team on Aug. 17, and has yet to make his professional debut, as he was sidelined with a sports hernia. He had the surgery to repair the hernia on Oct. 7. It seems that he will put on his pirates jersey after a few weeks.

Yankees manager appears in Manhattan for charity

Yankees manager Joe Girardi is expected to make a public appearance at a Chipotle Mexican Grill location in Manhattan to raise funds for his Catch 25 Foundation. The World Series-winning capitain will be at the Chipotle restaurant at 25 West 45th Street from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each donation goes to support the mission of Catch 25. The donation also gives customers a chance between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. for Girardi autographed items, including a No. 27 yankees jersey.

Catch 25 was formed to raise awareness and find treatments and cures for Alzheimer's, cancer and infertility. It also provides scholarships and financial aid to those people who struggle with these diseases and serve children and adults who may not have the financial and emotional support they want.

Avalanche acquire Foote and Hendricks

The Colorado Avalanche announced that the team has acquired defenseman Adam Foote and forward Matt Hendricks from the injured reserve list. Both of them will be available in the game against the Minnesota Wild at Pepsi Center.
Foote has missed the last five games after suffering the injury on Nov. 17 at Calgary. Hendricks has missed the last six games due to a groin injury. He was placed on Nov. 19. Hendricks has two goals in 15 games this year in the nhl jersey.

The team also announced that the club has placed defenseman Kyle Cumiskey on IR and claimed defenseman Tom Preissing on waivers.

Gustavsson will undergo procedure this weekend

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Thursday that goaltender Jonas Gustavsson will undergo a heart procedure this weekend. The first procedure took place on September 15, 2009 during the training camp. The determination was made after he was examined several days ago by medical specialists.

Gustavsson played the first period in Tuesday's game at Montreal in toronto maple leafs jersey. Defenceman Carl Gunnarsson sustained a hyper-extended left elbow in the game against Buffalo Sabres. He is expected to be out of the lineup for about six weeks.